Moonen Shipyards has two new yacht designs available in four sizes total, reflecting a return to its roots yet staying true to its “pocket superyacht” focus.
Moonen Shipyards, established in 1963, has long offered designs that many in the marine industry today call mid-size yachts, around 60 to 80 feet LOA. But, given client demand, in the late 2000s it started offering megayachts upwards of 120 feet and larger. In fact, it’s been at least six years since Moonen Shipyards splashed a megayacht smaller than its 84 Alu series. Recently, according to Emile Bilterijst, Moonen’s managing director, “We have had several enquiries from entry level owners, and it is vital that we do not price ourselves out of this area.”
That’s the driving factor behind the first design, by Nick Mezas Yacht Design. Pictured above, the fast-displacement design is available as a 59-footer, 65’6” yacht, and 78’7” yacht (18, 20, and 24 meters, respectively). The fast-displacement aspect combines Moonen’s round-bilge hull form with a good turn of speed, an anticipated 22-knot top end. As for Mezas, he’s a relative newcomer to the industry, a young naval architect who has caught the attention of a few established firms. His freshness is fitting, then, for the new semi-custom Moonen series, intended to attract younger buyers looking for something a bit different. Volvo Penta’s IPS propulsion system, aboard each model, will also appeal to them. It’s proven to save fuel and occupies a smaller physical footprint, allowing for more usable space. It’s also a joystick system that is incredibly intuitive for owner-operators and buyers wishing to take the wheel more themselves. The fact that the inside helm is open to the saloon, Bilterijst says, should attract families. And building the yacht to CE standards rather than full classification, common for this size range, will keep costs down.
As for remaining faithful to its “pocket superyacht” focus, Moonen worked with Rene van der Velden for this 100-foot raised-pilothouse design. She’s fitted with a nearly plumb bow and a hardtop shading part of the flying bridge. Speaking of the flying bridge, it has more space devoted to the owners and guests due to a toy garage. The garage will further feature a launching system beneath the tender, rather than an overhead davit, saving even more space.
Owners will also appreciate the full-beam main-deck master, yet the crew’s ability to still access all points of the main deck. Moonen struck a compromise by making the side decks narrow a bit as they flow forward.
Other interior amenities haven’t been mentioned, though it’s easily to imagine three staterooms for guests below decks and crew accommodations for nearly the same number of people.
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